Tag: Mental Health

Priti Manoj Karnavar published in Blogs

Career Confusion in Young Athletes: When Sports, Studies and Parents’ Dreams Collide

Every child dreams of winning. Every parent dreams of a secure future. But what happens when a child’s passion becomes a parent’s worry?

Imagine your child returning home after hours of sports practice. They are exhausted, yet their eyes sparkle as they share the excitement of the game. They talk about their performance, their coach’s appreciation or their dream of playing at the national level.

And then comes the question: “Have you finished your homework? What about your studies? Can sports really give you a future?”

In that moment, a child’s excitement may turn into confusion.

As parents, we want our children to succeed. We want them to follow their dreams, but we also fear disappointment, uncertainty and an insecure future. This conflict between passion and practicality is one of the biggest challenges faced by sports children and their parents today.

The Child’s Dream vs. The Parent’s Fear

For a child, sports is often more than a hobby. It is a source of happiness, identity, discipline and confidence. Whether it is cricket, football, badminton, swimming or athletics, the dream of becoming a professional player can inspire extraordinary dedication.

Parents, however, see the uncertainties. They worry about competition, injuries, academic performance, financial stability and limited opportunities.

These fears come from love. But sometimes, in trying to protect our children, we unintentionally discourage them.

Statements like “Sports has no future” or “Focus on studies instead” may sound practical to us, but to a child, they can feel like a rejection of their dreams.

The real challenge is not choosing between passion and security, but finding a realistic way to balance both.

Are We Asking Children to Choose Too Early?

Children are still discovering their abilities, interests and potential. Expecting them to decide their entire future too early can create unnecessary pressure.

Sports and academics do not always have to compete with each other. With proper planning, time management and support, children can often pursue both.

Of course, competitive sports demand commitment, discipline and consistent effort. As children grow, they may need to evaluate their progress, opportunities and willingness to continue.

Parents can guide them through these decisions by encouraging honest conversations, seeking professional advice and exploring different career pathways.

The decision should come from understanding—not fear, comparison or pressure.

When Expectations Become a Burden

Sometimes, our hopes for our children become so strong that every match feels like an examination. Victory brings celebration, but defeat brings disappointment, criticism or comparisons.

We may ask, “We are doing so much for you. Why are you not performing?”

But have we paused to ask how our child feels?

Perhaps they fear disappointing us. Perhaps they are struggling with self-doubt. Or perhaps they love their sport but feel overwhelmed by the pressure to succeed.

Our children need our support more than our expectations.

Winning teaches confidence, but losing teaches resilience. Mistakes build experience, and setbacks teach children how to rise again.

A child who feels emotionally safe at home is more likely to share their fears, discuss their ambitions and seek help when needed.

How Can Sports Parents Help?

As a Parent Coach, I believe our role is not to control our children’s journey, but to help them navigate it with confidence.

  1. Listen before advising. Ask what your child enjoys about sports and what challenges they face. Sometimes, listening is more powerful than giving solutions.
  2. Separate performance from self-worth. A lost match does not make your child a failure. Celebrate effort, discipline, improvement and courage.
  3. Explore career options realistically. Professional sports is one possibility. Coaching, sports science, physiotherapy and sports management may also offer meaningful pathways.
  4. Build a balanced routine. Make time for training, studies, rest, family and recreation. Children need recovery as much as discipline.
  5. Seek the right guidance. Coaches, teachers and career counsellors can help assess progress and explore suitable opportunities.
  6. Keep communication open. Reassure your child that changing a goal or choosing another career is not a failure. Their worth is never defined by a trophy.

Let Us Raise Confident Children, Not Fearful Achievers

Dear parents, our children do not need us to have every answer. They need us to stand beside them while they discover their own.

Some may become professional athletes. Others may pursue careers connected to sports, while some may choose a completely different path. Every journey deserves respect.

The next time your child returns from practice, instead of asking only, “Did you win today?” try asking, “What did you learn? Did you enjoy yourself? How can I support you?”

One meaningful conversation can sometimes ease more confusion than a hundred pieces of advice.

A Thought for Every Sports Parent

“Behind every young athlete’s dream, there should be a parent’s encouragement, not the weight of expectations.”

A child may forget the score of a match, but they will remember how their parents made them feel afterwards.

Before asking your child to perform better, ask yourself: “Does my child feel supported, or do they feel they must succeed to make me proud?”

Let home be the place where your child finds comfort after defeat, confidence after disappointment and courage to dream again.

Because the greatest victory is not just raising a champion in sports, but raising a confident, emotionally strong and happy human being.

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Preeti Sachdeva published in Blogs

Mental Health — Why Children’s Emotional Well-Being Matters

By Preeti Sachdeva | Founder, Student Success Academy | Certified Parenting Coach, Educator & DMIT Practitioner

When we think about a child’s future, we often imagine good grades, admission to a reputed school or college, a successful career, and a happy life. Parents work hard to provide the best opportunities for their children, hoping that these efforts will help them succeed.

But amid homework, examinations, extracurricular activities, and expectations, one important question often goes unnoticed: How is my child feeling emotionally?

A child may perform well academically and still experience anxiety, loneliness, self-doubt, or overwhelming pressure. Another child may struggle with studies, not because of a lack of ability, but because emotional difficulties are affecting concentration and motivation.

This is why children’s mental health deserves the same thoughtful attention as their physical health and academic progress.

A child’s emotional well-being is not an extra part of development; it is an essential foundation for learning, relationships, and healthy growth.

Understanding Children’s Mental Health

Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It influences how we think, feel, respond to challenges, build relationships, and manage everyday situations.

Children experience a wide range of emotions, including happiness, excitement, anger, sadness, jealousy, and fear. Experiencing these emotions is a normal part of growing up.

The goal is not to prevent children from feeling sad or frustrated. Instead, we need to help them recognise their feelings, express themselves appropriately, develop coping skills, and seek support when necessary.

Children may not always have the words to explain what they are experiencing. Instead, emotional distress can sometimes appear as irritability, withdrawal, frequent complaints, changes in sleep, loss of interest in favourite activities, or difficulty concentrating.

These behaviours do not automatically indicate a mental health condition. However, persistent or significant changes deserve attention, particularly when they affect a child’s daily life.

Rather than dismissing a child’s feelings as drama or attention-seeking, parents should approach them with curiosity and compassion.

The Hidden Emotional Pressure Children Experience

Today’s children navigate a world filled with academic expectations, social comparisons, digital distractions, and pressure to meet multiple standards of success.

A child who receives 85% marks may feel disappointed because a classmate scored 95%. Another may avoid participating in class because they fear giving a wrong answer. Some children worry about disappointing their parents, while others struggle to fit in with their peers.

Social media and online interactions can add another layer of comparison, particularly as children grow older.

When children repeatedly hear that they must achieve more, perform better, or behave perfectly, they may begin to believe that their worth depends on their accomplishments.

Over time, this pressure can affect confidence, motivation, and emotional security.

Parents can reduce unnecessary pressure by celebrating effort, recognising individual progress, and reminding children that their value is not determined by marks, trophies, or comparisons.

Five Ways Parents Can Support Children’s Emotional Well-Being

1. Create a safe space for conversations

Make it easy for children to talk about their feelings without fearing immediate criticism or punishment.

Instead of asking only, “How much homework did you complete?”, try asking, “How was your day? Was there anything that made you happy or upset?”

Listen patiently, even when the concern seems small to you.

2. Teach children to identify emotions

Children may say they are angry when they are actually embarrassed, disappointed, worried, or hurt.

Help them develop an emotional vocabulary by naming feelings and discussing situations that trigger them.

You might say, “It sounds like you felt left out when your friends played without you. Is that how you felt?”

This encourages emotional awareness without assuming you already know exactly what the child is experiencing.

3. Avoid comparisons and unrealistic expectations

Every child has a different combination of strengths, challenges, interests, and developmental needs.

Comparing children with siblings, classmates, or relatives can create unnecessary insecurity.

Set realistic expectations and focus on progress rather than perfection.

4. Encourage healthy daily routines

Regular sleep, physical activity, balanced nutrition, opportunities for play, meaningful relationships, and reasonable screen-time boundaries can support overall well-being.

Children also need downtime. Their schedules should include opportunities to relax, explore interests, and enjoy unstructured play without constant performance expectations.

5. Model healthy emotional regulation

Children learn from observing adults.

When parents acknowledge their emotions, take a pause before reacting, communicate respectfully, and repair relationships after disagreements, children learn practical ways to handle difficult situations.

You do not have to be calm every moment. Showing children how to recover after a difficult moment can be just as valuable.

When Should Parents Seek Professional Support?

Occasional sadness, frustration, nervousness, and mood changes are part of childhood. However, persistent changes in behaviour or emotional well-being should not be ignored.

Consider seeking advice from a qualified mental health professional or paediatrician if your child experiences ongoing sadness or anxiety, significant changes in sleep or appetite, social withdrawal, a sustained loss of interest in usual activities, or difficulties that interfere with school, friendships, or daily routines.

Listen seriously if a child expresses hopelessness, says they feel worthless, or talks about harming themselves. Seek urgent professional help if there is an immediate safety concern.

Asking for help is not a sign of parental failure. Early support can help children and families understand their difficulties and develop appropriate coping strategies.

Conclusion: Listen to the Feelings Behind the Smile

A child may smile at school, complete assignments, and appear cheerful around friends while privately struggling with difficult emotions. This is why emotional well-being cannot be assessed by achievements or outward behaviour alone.

As parents, we must make room for honest conversations, acceptance, appropriate boundaries, and support.

Sometimes, the most powerful words a parent can say are simple: “You can talk to me. I may not have every answer, but I will listen, and we will work through this together.”

Children do not need a life without challenges. They need the emotional skills and supportive relationships that help them navigate those challenges.

Let us raise children who are not only prepared to succeed in the world but also feel safe enough to express themselves, ask for help, and take care of their emotional well-being.

Because true success is not simply about how well a child performs. It is also about how confidently, securely, and healthily that child experiences life.

About the Author

Preeti Sachdeva is the founder of Student Success Academy, a Certified Parenting Coach, DMIT Practitioner, Educator, and NLP Coach with 15 years of experience in the education sector. She works with parents and children to support emotional well-being, confidence-building, effective learning, and holistic development.

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Subodh Langde published in Articles, Blogs

Career Confusion in Teenagers: How Parents Can Help Without Adding Pressure

Your child doesn’t need to have their entire future figured out today. They need the confidence, support, and freedom to discover it.
“Beta, 10th ke baad kya karna hai?”
“Science loge ya Commerce?”
“Engineering, Medical, CA, ya kuch aur?”
For many Indian teenagers, these questions begin long before they understand their own interests, strengths, or aspirations. What starts as a simple conversation about the future can gradually become a source of stress, anxiety, and self-doubt.
Career confusion is not a sign that a child lacks ambition. Sometimes, it means they haven’t had enough opportunities to understand themselves.

Why Are Teenagers So Confused About Their Careers?

Today’s teenagers have more career options than ever before. Along with traditional careers such as engineering, medicine, and commerce, they can explore technology, design, sports, entrepreneurship, digital media, psychology, and many emerging fields.

But more options do not automatically mean more clarity.

Here are three common reasons behind career confusion.

1. Pressure to follow the crowd

When friends choose Science, a student may feel compelled to do the same. When relatives praise a particular profession, children may believe that choosing anything else means settling for less.

They start asking, “What will people think?” instead of “What is right for me?”

2. Fear of making the wrong decision

Many students believe that one decision after Class 10 or Class 12 will determine their entire future. This fear can make them overthink every option or avoid making a decision altogether.

They need to understand that career decisions matter, but learning, experience, and changing interests can also open new paths.

3. Limited self-awareness and exposure

A student may know the names of popular professions without understanding what the work actually involves.

They may choose a career based on salary, social status, family expectations, or what they see online rather than their interests, abilities, values, and willingness to develop the required skills.

What Can Parents Do Differently?

Parents play an important role in career development. However, supporting a child is different from deciding their future for them.

Here are four practical steps parents can begin today.

1. Replace interrogation with curiosity

Instead of repeatedly asking, “What do you want to become?”, try asking:

  • Which subjects or activities make you curious?
  • What kind of problems do you enjoy solving?
  • What activities make you feel engaged and confident?
  • What would you like to explore before making a decision?

These questions help children reflect instead of feeling pressured to provide an immediate answer.

2. Focus on strengths, not just marks

Marks are useful indicators of academic performance, but they do not tell the complete story of a child’s potential.

Observe how your child thinks, communicates, creates, solves problems, works with others, and responds to challenges.

Encourage them to explore their strengths while also recognising the skills they need to develop.

3. Give them opportunities to explore

Career clarity grows through experience, not just conversations.

Encourage your child to attend career talks, explore reliable career assessments, speak with professionals, try relevant projects, or participate in workshops.

Help them understand the education, skills, daily responsibilities, and realities associated with different careers.

4. Build confidence before demanding clarity

A child who fears criticism may hide their doubts or choose an option simply to please their parents.

Create an environment where they can say, “I’m confused,” without feeling that they have disappointed you.

Your message should be: “We don’t have to know every answer today. We will explore the options together.”

A Simple Activity to Start Today

Set aside 15 minutes with your child. Keep phones away and discuss three questions:

  1. What are three activities or subjects you genuinely enjoy?
  2. What are two careers you would like to understand better?
  3. What is one small step we can take this week to explore one of them?

Do not evaluate their answers immediately. Listen, ask follow-up questions, and agree on one practical next step.

Repeat this conversation periodically as your child learns more about themselves.

The Real Goal Is Career Readiness, Not Just Career Selection

As parents, we naturally want our children to be successful and secure. But the most valuable support we can offer is not a ready-made career decision.

It is the ability to understand themselves, evaluate choices, develop skills, adapt to change, and make informed decisions with confidence.

At Rise Together — The Parent & Student Growth Journey, I believe that career clarity begins with self-awareness, grows through exploration, and becomes stronger when parents and children work together.

Your child may not know what they want to become today. That is okay.

Don’t rush to decide their future. Help them discover it.

Subodh Langde is a Parent & Student Growth Coach who helps Indian families with teenagers in Classes 9–12 build confidence, improve communication, strengthen study habits, and approach career decisions with greater clarity.

Start a conversation with your child today. Their future needs your guidance—not your pressure.

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Pooja Kansal published in Blogs

Mom’s guilt

Becoming a mom changes everything, but one of the most empowering things a mom can do is gain financial independence. It’s not just about making money—it’s about having the freedom to make decisions for yourself and your family without relying on anyone else.

In the journey from “Mom to Ma’am,” financial independence is like a key that unlocks a whole new world. It allows you to balance both being a mom and following your own dreams and goals. It’s about creating a life where you don’t have to choose between taking care of your kids and achieving your own personal success.

Taking Control of Your Life

When you’re financially independent, you have the power to make choices that are right for you and your family. Instead of depending on someone else for your financial security, you’re in charge of your own future. You can decide what career path you want to take, whether you want to start a business, or even just what’s best for your family in the long run. Financial independence means freedom. It means not having to ask for permission to follow your passions or make big life decisions.

One of the hardest things moms deal with is mom guilt. Whether it’s guilt about working too much or not spending enough time with the kids, it’s always there. But when you’re financially independent, you can learn to let go of that guilt. You’re not just doing it for yourself—you’re doing it for your family too. Showing your kids that you can balance both career and family teaches them important lessons about work, responsibility, and passion.

Financial independence for moms isn’t just about having more money; it’s about freedom. It’s about being able to make decisions that serve you and your family’s future. When a mom becomes financially independent, she gains confidence, control, and the ability to chase her own dreams while still being the loving, dedicated mom she always was.

So, as you go through your own journey from “Mom to Ma’am,” remember that you don’t have to choose between being an amazing mom and achieving your personal goals. You can do both—and financial independence is the key to unlocking that power.

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Dr. Sunita Advani published in Blogs

Empowering Your Children to Excel in Today’s Competitive World: Insights from Kota’s Tragedies

Introduction

The recent tragic suicides among students in Kota, India, have once again highlighted the enormous pressures and intense competition young people face today. To provide context, this year alone, 23 students have taken their lives, with four months still to go, compared to 15 last year. As parents, guardians, and educators, it is our collective responsibility to empower our children to face this competition while safeguarding their mental and emotional well-being. In this blog, we will discuss ways to empower your children to navigate the challenges of today’s competitive world, drawing inspiration from the unfortunate events in Kota.

1. Open Communication

Empowering your children begins with establishing open lines of communication. Encourage them to freely share their thoughts, fears, and aspirations with you. Ask open-ended questions and practice active listening. Validate their feelings and share your own experiences. Avoid judgment and engage in problem-solving together. Open communication should not be a one-time effort but an ongoing process. Make it clear that your child can talk to you about anything, anytime, and that your love and support are unwavering. Create an environment where they feel safe discussing their struggles and anxieties. This way, you let your child know they are not alone in their struggles, and you can offer support and guidance when they need it most.

2. Set Realistic Expectations

Acknowledge that every child has unique abilities and limitations. Their potential may not align with societal expectations. Just as not every tree grows at the same rate, not every child will excel in the same way or at the same pace. Understand your child’s strengths and areas that may need improvement, and support them accordingly without imposing unrealistic goals. Focus on helping them discover their strengths and interests. Avoid comparing your child to others, whether it’s their siblings, friends, or classmates, as this can lead to feelings of inadequacy and unnecessary stress. Encourage self-reflection, help them establish incremental goals, emphasize that mistakes are learning opportunities, encourage effort and improvement, and don’t wait for perfection.

3. Encourage a Growth Mindset

Teach your children the value of effort and resilience. A growth mindset fosters the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through hard work and dedication. This mindset can help them approach challenges with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn from failures. Illustrate the difference: a fixed mindset believes abilities are innate and unchangeable, whereas a growth mindset thrives on the idea that talents can be developed. Instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” encourage your child to say, “I can’t do this yet.” This maintains a positive learning environment.

4. Promote a Balanced Approach to Education

While academic excellence is important, it should not come at the cost of mental and physical health. Encourage a balanced approach to education by promoting hobbies, physical activity, relaxation, and spending time with family and friends. Teach your child the importance of a healthy work-life balance. A balanced approach ensures that your child excels academically while developing as a well-rounded individual. It prepares them to face life’s challenges with resilience, adaptability, and a healthy perspective. By nurturing their passions, promoting physical and mental health, and fostering a love for learning, you set the stage for your child to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

5. Seek Professional Help

Be vigilant in recognizing signs of distress in your child, such as extreme anxiety, persistent sadness, changes in sleep or eating patterns, social withdrawal, or declining academic performance. These may indicate the need for professional intervention. Explain to your child that seeking assistance is a sign of strength, not weakness. Dispelling misconceptions about therapy or counseling can make them more open to the idea. Mental health is as crucial as physical health, and early intervention can prevent more severe issues from developing. If required, involve your family and close friends in the process. Valuable help is welcome from anywhere.

6. Foster Independence

Empower your children to make decisions and take responsibility for their actions. This helps build confidence, adaptability, and resilience. Encourage them to set their goals and take steps toward achieving them, with your guidance and support. Fostering independence in your child is a continuous process that requires patience and guidance. By empowering them to take charge of their lives, you equip them with the skills and mindset necessary to thrive academically and navigate the challenges they’ll encounter as they grow into adulthood.

7. Teach Time Management

Time management is a crucial skill for success. Help your children develop effective time management skills to balance their studies, extracurricular activities, and leisure time. Assist them in creating a daily or weekly schedule, prioritizing tasks, setting SMART goals, breaking tasks into small steps, eliminating distractions, and regularly reviewing and adjusting their schedule. This will reduce stress and improve their overall well-being. Teaching time management is a gradual process, and consistency is key. By helping your child master this essential skill, you empower them to succeed academically and in all aspects of their life.

8. Promote Healthy Competition

Competition can be healthy when it encourages personal growth and improvement. Teach your children to compete with themselves, aiming to surpass their previous achievements rather than constantly comparing themselves to others. Competing with friends, siblings, or relatives is not only detrimental to love but also one of the least effective approaches to achieving one’s goals.

9. Build a Supportive Network

Encourage your children to build a supportive network of friends and mentors who can provide guidance and emotional support. Having a strong support system can help them cope with the pressures of competition.

10. Lead by Example

Finally, lead by example. Show your children that success is not just about academic achievements but also about being a kind, compassionate, and resilient individual. Share your own struggles and how you overcame them. Acting as a role model is the most potent strategy. All the tips mentioned earlier will be effective only when your actions exemplify them in front of your children. This way, these values become ingrained in their behavior naturally, without the need for explicit preaching. It’s often said that children emulate what they witness, not just what they are taught.

 

The tragic incidents in Kota serve as a stark reminder of the immense pressure faced by today’s youth. As parents and guardians, it is our duty to empower our children with the tools they need to thrive in this competitive world while prioritizing their mental and emotional well-being. By fostering open communication, setting realistic expectations, and promoting a growth mindset, we can equip our kids to face today’s challenges with confidence and resilience. Together, we can ensure that they not only survive but also thrive in the face of competition.

Dr Sunita Advani, Pune

dradvani.sunita@gmail.com

9822088710

 

 

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Santosh Bakhshi published in Blogs

Digital Exposure & Experiencing Nature -The Balance Our Children Need

Digital Exposure & Experiencing Nature -The Balance our children need!

 

One of the perks of working as a parenting coach and counselor is being able to pull from your own experiences, both as a father and of course as a kid. This forces you to realize just how much has changed since your childhood. As a latchkey kid who thrived on fresh air, Extensive Playtime, and family dinners, I look at today’s generation of tech-savvy tots and wonder when — and, more importantly, how — this transformation occurred.

Today’s childhood is getting trapped in a world of gadgetry!

My first “owned” Gadget was at 21. A cellphone shared by my sister  and me, but operated by my Father because ‘you all are young to use it and hey it is expensive!

The most telling difference between my childhood and the present, however, is today’s lack of time. Time to explore, time to experiment, time to be a child – which means, most importantly, time to play.

Mr.COVID having added to it all!

The Kids of the big cities and now rapidly increasing in Towns as well are living in a ‘citified’ environment- lack of connection with Nature.

A child, any growing child needs stimulation-

The Gadgets, The screens, The schools and even the parents are however becoming Overwhelming rather than stimulating to a child’s sensory demands.

The Child may have all the consumption but is steadily being devoid of the Engagement.

We are teaching our children how to make a living, but not life!

We’ve been telling them how we have made our way to the moon and back, but have trouble letting them meet the new neighbor.

This boon of ‘Digital Fidgeting’ has taken away the ‘Friendly Neighbourhood’.

Quite a Paradox is it not!

So, is there a way back from this? Should we reconsider?

Should we BAN the Digital world from a child’s life?

As a Parenting Coach, I have counseled and seen many cases where extremes have failed!

The answer one feels is in Division of the day, week, month.

Slowly and steadily compartmentalize the mind of the child to understand that the week is going to be designed into 2 parts.

Balanced between Boons of Digital Exposure to The abundance of Nature.

Children nowadays have many more opportunities to literally see the world than we had. In our time, we could only read about different countries and their culture through books. Now, there is digital media to support that experience and of course, not to mention the opportunity to travel and experience first-hand. so why not have a balance.

When you introduce your little one to animals and their sounds on the television, ensure you take her/him to the zoo to see those animals in their natural habitat and hear those sounds real in the next 2 days. This makes 2 days of both offering them Digital Exposure and Experiencing Nature.

When your child watches an animal animation fiction on the Tele, that same week Arrange for a trip to an Animal Café for her/him to feel the warmth and compassion of the animals of different kinds.

The above examples will ensure that a child will consume the ways and means of an animal kingdom, species, and their ways via digital boon and then experience the engagement when they visit such places and feel their sensory demands being satisfied.

A perfect example of balance and harmony of

Look, Listen & feel.

This can be tried in all aspects of the child’s interest. Now the child will know and appreciate the difference between learning from digital media and being and feeling in the real environment. The child enjoys and appreciates the worth of both aspects.

Woh kehte hain na, â€œÂ à€Źà€šà„à€šà„‹à€‚Â à€•à„‹Â à€Żà„‡Â à€žà€żà€–à€Ÿà€šà€ŸÂ à€šà€Ÿà€čà€żà€Â à€•à€żÂ à€•à„ˆà€žà„‡Â à€žà„‹à€šà„‡à€‚Â ,Â à€šà€ŸÂ à€•à€żÂ à€•à„à€Żà€ŸÂ à€žà„‹à€šà„‡à€‚à„€

To me, this will create an environment for the child to recognize the balance between Consumption and Engagement.

 

-Santosh Bakhshi

A Life Coach & A Learning Father!

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Vishakha published in Blogs

How to take care of your child’s mental health?

How to take care of your child’s mental health?

Living in the modern world, we all might have heard our peers’ discussing how emotional health is equally important as our physical health!

Well, it’s true. However, if you belong to Generation X or even if you are a Millennial, who is now a parent, you might relate to a lot of stuff discussed in this brief piece on mental health.

Remember the times when our hearts smiled more than our faces! Yes, I am referring to our childhood.

It was the time when innocence was the most prominent trait. Among our cousins and friends, there were occasional fights that lacked blame or ego.

A time when we used to play with toys that were not so electronic.

A time in life where the denial was mostly associated with “I won’t share my piece of cake or chocolate with anyone.”

A time so carefree
 isn’t it?

While we grew up, every time somebody threw a No at us, most of us thought it’s such a blessing to grow up and live life on our terms. Little did we know of how much goes into living life on our own terms.

As we grew a little old and began experiencing the bits of life firsthand, we gradually enrolled ourselves for the rat race of making it big in life. Our spirits were then forced to carry the weight of performance and peer pressure.

Over time, these pressures and challenges lead to an understanding of the importance of emotional well being.

Would you like such a life for your child?

Definitely not! We all want our children to live a better life than ours and offer them the best possible support we can. Right?

Here, it’s crucial to note that just like physical health, emotional health is vital for the human body and soul.

Maintaining emotional wellbeing allows children and young adults to develop resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them and grow into well rounded, healthy adults.

Alarmingly, 70% of children and young adults experience a mental health problem such as depression, abuse, etc.

Most children grow up mentally healthy, but surveys suggest that many children and adolescents move towards depression and anxiety troubles. It has emerged to be a case because of the frequent changes in the way we live and how that affects a child’s experience growing up.

How can you maintain your Children’s mental health? 

1. Parental Help: Parents must have a warm, open relationship with their children. One essential job to be done is to pay full attention to your child and acknowledge their feelings. Reaching out and talking to them would help them avoid finding solace in harmful distractions like Smartphone’s, gaming, prohibited activities, etc.

2. Professional Help: A parental coach can assist and advise you to better understand your relationship with the child and provide you with the right tools to correct behavioural issues.

Let’s learn more about professional help.

Parent coaching sessions offer the progenitors with the tools required to handle nearly any situation in the family. The certified coaches are proficient in assisting moms and dads in creating a roadmap to:

● learn efficient ways to respond to scenarios instead of reacting abruptly

● imbibe ways to become patient and kind towards the child

● creating a calmer, happier, and more inviting environment for the child

● improve the overall relationship between parent and child

● learning effective ways to communicate with children of every age

● understanding the behavioural patterns and demands of children

We all are living in lifestyles that are busy and hectic. Reaching out for coaching helps solve prevalent issues and teaches parents the right way to deal with their child and avoid any arguing, whining, or bickering with them.

Each session provides techniques, tools, and strategies to handle specific family life issues. A coach avoids talking about the past and instead focuses all attention on now and the days ahead. With assistance, parents produce results by developing clear, concise steps to determine intentions, values, and goals for moving forward to a healthier family.

With every session, a parent can learn new techniques, strategies, or methods to handle specific family issues. A parent coach would always motivate you to focus on the future and avoid talking about the past. With the right assistance, you, as a parent, can witness fantastic results, leading to form a healthy and happy family.

While looking for your child’s mental health, below are some other aspects that can be worked upon are:

1) Maintaining good physical health, eating a balanced diet and following a regular exercise routine

2) Making them feel loved, trusted, understood, valued and safe

3) Making them learn and grab opportunities to succeed

4) Accepting who they are and recognizing what they are skilled at!

5) Since your child can test your nerves, attaining mindfulness will make you happier and let you manage anxiety, stress, and depression.

 

Author

Vishakha Goyal
Founder- LifeLitmus
IPA Expert, Parenting Coach, Access Bar Practitioner, Sound Healer

 

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Neetu J. Talwar published in Articles, Blogs

Help Yourself and Your Child Busting the Exam Stress!!!

Help Yourself and Your Child Busting the Exam Stress!!!

Parents easily get stressed when the exam time of the children draw closer. Exams can really be stressful for the entire family, but in reality, it needn’t be this way. It’s understandable that the child will experience stress and anxiety. If we as parents stress out, kids will stress out even more. Instead of putting additional pressure, there is a lot that parents can do motivate their kids for scoring well and prepare systematically for their exams.

Here are 10 practical and handy tips for the parents that will help them prepare their kids score well in the exams and reduce stress:-

  1. Know your child’s Exam time table – A very helpful way to help reducing yours and your child’s stress during their exams. Parents must know what exam the child has got next in order to help them prepare on time. It proves to be an extra element of support. You can simply add it to your calendar or pin a copy of the exam time table onto the notice board.
  2. Regular monitoring of their studies– Always take some time out to monitor your child’s progress. Sit with your child and design a schedule so that he or she has enough time for revision. Lending a helping hand in building a useful schedule for their days and weeks will help them efficiently utilizing their time. Don’t let them putting off all the preparation for the last days.
  3. Cut back on distractions– Any distractions, be it TV, gadgets, phones, gatherings, parties or even a disturbance from siblings must be avoided. It’s imperative to give your child the right atmosphere during exams to make him perform and score well. Try to allocate a comfortable room or a space in the home for your child to study in peace. 
  4. Do not compromise on child’s nutrition – Your Child health might get affected while dealing with exams pressure. An extra and special care is very much required keeping in mind the pressure child has on his mind. Adding fresh and seasonal fruits may do wonders for them. It helps them improving their concentration levels. 
  5. Enough sleep is fundamental – Be it school or exam, enough sleep is essential for a child to perform well. Teenagers have a habit of catching up on social media before bed which can cut the sleep time resulting in them being tired right before their exam. Prohibiting device in bedroom especially during exams or cutting off the internet is highly recommended. Installing parental control is also advisable during exam time.
  6. Help them to be active – Encourage them to take breaks between studies. As studying continuously will tire out the brain and affect the ability to retain knowledge. A power nap, stretching exercises, listening to music OR dancing can refresh and re-energize them.  Processed food, high caffeine or sugar intake can make kids anxious during exam days. Teenagers are recommended not to exceed 100 ml of caffeine a day.  Encourage them to take plenty of water.
  7. Never compare your child – Comparing your child with other kids, using negative words to demean them, or questioning their caliber on the basis of scores will just hurt the sentiments of the child. His true potential shouldn’t be measured with scores in the exams. Parents must remember that  exams are just one of the many challenges your child will face and it’s not the end of life. So, take it easy!
  8. Reward your child efforts- Rewarding your child is important to motivate them to put their best foot forward. Don’t bribe them with expensive gifts. A simple family outing or catching up with friends or cousins after the exam can help the child to take his pressure off.
  9. Identifying warning signs, if any – Its imperative to ensure your child’s mental well-being too. It’s natural to feel anxious during exams. But if there are signs of extreme anxiety, loss of appetite, anger issues or irritated mood, these could indicate that the child is not keeping well. Always keep a check, intervene and talk to them at the right time.
  10. Stay calm – Don’t build too much pressure on them. Stand in support of your child, believe in his abilities, help them preparing for the exams without overburdening them with your expectations.

So, stay calm! And if you can’t, fake it till you make it. Try to hold your stress inside and not to discuss with your child.

Hope these tips will help you and your child staying stress free in the days of examinations. These tips will not only help them coping with stress but will also form the right outlook for exams.

 

Author

Neetu J. Talwar

ESL Trainer and Parenting Coach from Deep

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Swati Mahajan published in Blogs

HOW TO HELP WITH EMOTIONAL DYSREGULATION IN CHILDREN

HOW TO HELP WITH EMOTIONAL DYSREGULATION IN CHILDREN

 

If you’re a parent, chances are you’ve witnessed a tantrum or two in your day. We expect them in two-year-old, but if your child reaches school age and meltdowns and outbursts are still frequent, it may be a sign that they have difficulty with emotional self-regulation. And many older children, even if they’re beyond tantrums, they continue to struggle with impulsive and inappropriate behavior.

What is Self-regulation?
Self-regulation is the ability to manage your emotions and behavior in accordance with the demands of the situation.

Problems with self-regulation manifest in different ways in different children. Some kids have a huge, strong reaction and there is no build-up. They can’t control that immediate behavior response. For other kids, distress seems to build up and they can only take it for so long. Eventually it leads to some sort of behavioral problems.

Why do some kids struggle with Self-regulation?

When parents give in to tantrums or work overtime to soothe their children when they get upset and act out, kids have a hard time developing self-regulation. In those situations, parents become their external self-regulators. If this pattern happens again & again, and a child is able to ‘outsource’ self-regulation, then that might develop as a habit.

How do we teach Self-regulation skills?

See acting out is essentially an ineffective response to a stimulus. We need to help the child slow down and more carefully choose an effective response instead of being impulsive. If we approach self-regulation skills in the same way we approach other skills and provide practice, rather than pointing bad behavior it changes the tone and content of the feedback we give it to our children. Rather than giving up, try paring down the activity so it is more doable, and slowly give your child more and more independence to handle it.

Pro-tip: Expecting perfection from ourselves may actually increase tension and negativity.
we should keep working on our own emotional muscles, accept ourself & our family for where we are in the process. It’s never too late to start!

Regards

Swati Mahajan

Parenting Coach

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Arti A published in Blogs

Moving from Digital to Development

Moving from Digital to Development

 

In today’s digital age, it is not very uncommon to find even toddlers using gadgets. Many parents try to please their children by giving them tablets and phones so that they are kept busy and entertained. But have you ever thought that a toddler needs more human interaction than with an AI?

A child’s early developing stage is until the age of 6. Hence, it is very essential that you do not let him or her be dependent on gadgets.

Do not forget that every child needs attention and gadgets are no substitution to it. Here are few things that you can do to help your child move from the digital to the development stage.

  • Get Real Games: 3D games are fun and attractive, but they also harm your child’s mental growth. So, instead of downloading a game on your tablet or phone, get your child a game appropriate for his or her age. Games which will help your child in learning and at the same time have fun with it.

 

  • Spend More Time with your Child: It is very important that you try to spend as much time as you can with your child. The more time spent with your child, the more disinterest your child will be with the gadgets.

 

  • Encourage Creativity: Every child at the toddler stage loves to draw (or should I say scribble). Encourage your child to be creative and let him or her draw or scribble. Appreciate your child for what he or she has created.

 

  • Get Them Involved: You may want to keep your child away from the household work, but the truth is by keeping your child involved during your household chores can help you interact with him or her better. It also makes it easy for them to learn quickly and easily.

 

Do not let gadgets hinder your child’s growth. Enjoy this stage with your child because time does not turn around.

 

Happy Parenting!!!

Arti A

Parenting Coach

 

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